Method and apparatus for adding liquid fill to containers having solids therein



May 30, 1967 Filed July 8, 1964 H. D. METHOD AND APPARATUS F MANAS ORADDING LIQUID FILL TO CONTAINERS HAVING SOLIDS THEREIN FIG.I

LOWER FILLING HEAD INTO CONTAINER HAVING SOLID CONTENT AN D SE ALCONTAINER BLOW THROU G H --SUCTION CHANNE L TO CLEAR LATTER '7Sheets-Sheet 1 CHANNEL TO EVACUATE DIRECT SUCTION VIA AIR FROM CONTAINER VACUUM BREAK VACUUM IN CONTAINER BY OPENING RESUME SUCTION ANDFILLING WITH LIQUID TO DESIRED LEVEL IN CONTAINER RESUME SUCTION INFILLING HEAD TO ATMOSPHERE AND REMOVE FILLING HEAD FROM CONTAINER TOPREVENT DRIP- PING OF LIQUID FROM HEAD TO VACUUM INVENTOR. HERM AN DMANA S ATTO NEYS M y 1967 H. MANAS ,32l,887

METHOD AND APPARA FOR ADDING LIQUID FILL TO CONTAINERS HAVING SOLIDSTHERE INT 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 8, 1964 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. HERMAN D. MANAS BY Z L/ ATTORNEYS May 30, 1967 H. D. MANAS3,321,887

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADDING LIQUID FILL O CONTAINERS HAVING SOLIDSTHEREIN '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 8, 1964 FIG SPACER DEVICE DRIVE 3INVENTOR. HER MAN D M ANAS ATTO NEYS May 30, 1967 H. D. MANAS 3,321,337

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADDING LIQUID FILL TO CONTAINERS HAVING SOLIDSTHEREIN 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 8, 1964 RS 0 A MN A W M m m N A M RE H ATTORNEYS 3,321,887 IQUID FILL HER May 30, 1967 H. D. MANAS METHODAND APPARATUS FOR ADDING L TO CONTAINERS HAVING SOLIDS T EIN 7Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 8, 1964 FIG.6

WAC.

NON-ROTARY HEADER VALVING 6 ARRANgEMENT 7 BEARING PLATE ROTARY VALVE ELEMENT E mn K Hr w RA R N 7 mwBE O .l. S T A 6 W m M II AT v O N T I D RF FN G M MU W R UL P E E W H R CF R E M D W MT 8 UN m M A mP O T m Mm UT WN m T EC SU 58 %R DIA IIE ML CC May 30, 1967 H. D. MANAS ARA TOCONTAINERS HAVING SOLIDS TH METHOD AND APP TUS FOR ADDING LIQUID FILLEREIN 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 8, 1964 INVENTOR.

HERMAN o. MANAS ATT RNEYS- LOW PRESSURE May 30, 1967 MANAS 3,321,887

H. D. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADDING LIQUID FILL TO CONTAINERS HAVINGSOLIDS THEREIN Filed July 8, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 DRIVE GEA SPE D REDUCER INVENTOR HERMAN 0. MANAS HORNE/2 United States Patent 3,321 887METHOD AND APPARATUS F OR ADDING LIQUID FILL T0 CONTAINERS HAVING SOLIDSTHERE- IN Roslyn Estates, N.Y., assignor to Inc., Plainview, N.Y., acorporation This invention relates to method and apparatus for addingliquids such as brine, syrup or other viscous liquids to containershaving solid packs such as fruit, vegetables, pickles or the liketherein so as to effectively fill all voids in the container with suchliquid. In addition there are other solids packaged in containers whichrequire addition of preservative liquids to the container prior toscaling. As with the food products just mentioned, effective filling ofall voids in the container is essential. This invention contemplates amethod and apparatus applicable to the packaging of any kind of solid ina container which requires the addition of such preservative liquidthereto and filling of such voids as well as avoidance of damage to suchsolid.

It is conventional in the packaging of solid fruits such as cherries,pears, nuts, pickles and other solid food products in containers tosubmerge such products in preservative liquids such as viscous syrup,brine or the like. In such cases, it is essential that the liquid fillall voids in the container even though the solid contents are relativelytightly packed therein. The purpose is to eliminate bubbles and voids sothat the liquid phase is in continuous contact with the solid fragments.

In the past, the viscosity of the fluid or the presence of air pockets,or clogging of the liquid filling line or other mechanical difficultieshas prevented complete filling of the voids with the required liquid, orelse the apparatus employed for filling has been found to cause damageto the solid food products by crushing, piercing or abrasion thereof byparts of such apparatus during liquid filling with consequentunsightliness of the packaged product as well as deterioration thereofduring storage.

The proper packaging of such solid food products, or other solids,requires complete filling of all the voids therein with the desiredliquid irrespective of the viscosity thereof and without damage to thesolid food products during the filling operations. Another requisite forproper packaging of such solids is that the final level of the liquidintroduced into the container leave a predetermined head space at themouth of the container to provide a residual air space of requisiteamount essential for subsequent vacuum sealing of the container.

Principal objects and features of this invention are the provision of anovel method and apparatus for effecting the complete filling withliquid of the voids in the solid food content or pack of a containerwithout in any way damaging such solid food.

A further principal object and feature of this invention is theprovision of versatile, novel liquid filling means which may be readilyadjusted to a variety of conditions arising during the packaging ofdifferent kinds of solid, to facilitate controlled determination of thehead space so that a residual air space of requisite amount as isessential for subsequent sealing of the container bearing solid productis made available.

Other principal objects and features of the invention are the provisionof novel liquid filling means which may be applied to the open mouth ofeach solid container without damage to the solid content or pack wherebythe filling fluid may be introduced after evacuation of air from suchcontainer while the latter is under partial vacuum, whereby air atatmospheric pressure may be utilized with a tamping effect to force aportion of introduced liquid fully to the bottom and into all voids ineach container, whereby thereafter, completion of fill of each containerwith the liquid may be effected under resumed. vacuum conditions andwhereby thereafter said vacuum may be broken and the said liquid fillingmeans may then be removed from each container.

Other objects and features of the invention are the provision of a novelfilling head for effecting said containerfilling operations which may beused with various rotary and straight line type filling machines withoutrequiring material modifications of such machines.

Further objects and features of the invention are the provision of novelvalving arrangements for permitting continuous sequential control of thecyclic steps required to effect complete filling of the voids in thecontainer and for automatic cleansing of blocking particles from thenecessary suction passageways in the apparatus during the filling cycle.

Further features and objects of the invention will become apparent fromthe following specification and from the accompanying drawings forming apart hereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a flow diagram of the method of practicing this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary vertical section of a filling head for afilling machine as applied to the mouth of a container for practicingthis invention;

FIGURE 2a is a section taken along line 2a-2a of FIGURE 2 and viewed inthe direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of a rotary type filling machineembodying the filling arrangements of this invention;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse partially broken away sectional view takenalong line 4-4, of FIGURE 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view illustrating details of the camming meansfor lowering and elevating the filling heads of the machine during itsoperation;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section taken approximately along line 6-6 ofFIGURE 4 illustrating valving mechanism of this invention andtviewed inthe direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE 6, viewed inthe direction of the arrows and illustrating a non-rotary part of thevalving mechanism;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIGURE 6, viewed inthe direction of the arrows and illustrating a bearing component of saidvalving mechanism;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIGURE 6, viewed inthe direction of the arrows and illustrating a rotatable part of thevalving mechanism;

FIGURE 10 is a sectionalized view taken along the plane of line 10-10 ofFIG. 4, and viewed in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 10a is a fragmentary elevational view of the outlet end of afilling head illustrating a principle of operation thereof to preventdrip therefrom during non-filling periods in the cycle of operation ofthe machine.

Generally speaking, the preferred apparatus of the invent-ion embodies acircular rotatable container supporting platform having an ingress andegress location, a conveyor for delivering containers to the ingresslocation and for removing them from the egress location of saidplatform, conventional spacing means for appropriately spacing thedelivered containers on the supporting platform and a rotary turntableabove said platform carrying a plurality of filling heads. Therespective filling heads are independently, reciprocally movablevertically in the turntable for shallow insertion into and extractionfrom the mouths of successive different containers delivered to saidplatform.

Each filling head has a seal means applicable to the mouth of acontainer to effect a temporary seal of the container onto which it islowered. Each filling head is provided with a conduit or passage viawhich filling liquid such as brine or syrup may be conducted undersuction from a source for introduction into the container associatedwith it during the filling cycle.

Each filling head also is provided passage via which during the air maybe evacuated from the container associated with it, or delivered to itunder atmospheric or super-atmospheric pressures as required during suchfilling cycle.

Appropriate vacuum pumping means, air compressor means and valvingarrangements are provided in connection with the machine so that thefilling cycle may be acoomplished during rotation of the turntablecarrying the filling heads. To this end, the valving arrangementincludes a stationary valve part and -a rotatable valve part, the latterbeing rotatable relative to the former during rotation of the turnableto effect required cyclic phases of the filling operations on thesuccessive containers.

Referring to the drawings and first to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the referencecharacter denotes generally a rotary filling machine that may be used topractice this invention. This machine includes a rotary containersupporting platform 11. Containers C having a previously inserted packof solids such as pickles, cherries, nuts or other fruits or vegetablesare delivered to the platform 11, via a horizontal conveyor 12. Thisconveyor 12 moves such containers C toward the ingress location I of theplatform 11, through a guideway 13 and into engagement With a rotaryspacer device 14 of the star Wheel type. This spacer device'14 is drivenin conventional manner and serves to space the containers C uniformly asthey are delivered to the ingress location I of platform 11.

Each spaced container C as it enters the platform 11 at said ingresslocation I is then positioned to underlie a filling head 15, a group ofthe latter being carried by a rotary turntable 16. The turntable 16 iscarried on a vertical, rotary shaft 17 which is driven in any desiredmanner. Shaft 17 also has the platform 11 secured thereto for rotationwith it. Each filling head is mounted as by screw and thread coupling 18(FIG. 2) to the lower end of a vertically reciprocal supporting rod 19.Each rod 19 is vertically guided between a pair of spaced-apart parallelupper and lower horizontal members 20 and 21 of the turntable 16. Ablock 22 is secured to the supporting rod 19 above the horizontal member21. The block 22 guidedly engages a vertical rod 23 which extendsbetween the members 20 and 21 in parallel with the rod 19, thuspreventing rotation of the supporting rod 19. A cam follower roller 24is mounted at the end of the block 22. This roller 24 is engageable witha horizontally supported cam track 25. This cam track 25 has theelevated portion 26 (FIG. 5) and the descending portions 27 and 28 whichextend toward the member 21. As a result, during rotation of theturntable 16, a movement of the cam follower roller 24 over the camtrack 25 provides for cyclic elevation and lowering of the supportingrod 19 of the filling head. Thereby, each filling head 15 may bealternately lowered into and raised from the open mouth of an underlyingcontainer C on platform 11. The position of the cam with a conduit ortrack 25 may be adjusted for differently dimensioned containers inconventional manner as by the elevating and lowering screw 29 which ismanipulable by a hand wheel 30 and threadedly engages an eye 31extending laterally of the cam track 25 (see 'FIG. 5). In this way, eachfilling head carrying rod 19 may have its location adjusted to operatewith differently-sized containers and to regulate the depth to which thehead 15 will be lowered into the mouth of a particular container C.Preferably, this depth is shallow and is adjusted, as seen in FIGURE 2so that the lower end of head 15 lies above the solid pack in thecontainer when head 15 is in its lowered position filling cycle to bedescribed,

therein for filling of the container with syrup or brine or otherrequisite liquid.

Filling head Each filling head 15 as seen in detail in FIGURE 2comprises a tubular body 32 having an axially extending bore 33. Thisbore 33 extends downwardly from the upper end of body 32 but terminatesshort of the lower end of said body. A vent passage '34 extends throughthe side wall of the body 32 into communication with the closed lowerend of bore 33 in proximity to the lower end of said body 32. The bore33 and its vent passage 34 provides a conduit for the delivery offilling liquid such as syrup or brine to a container C as will bedescribed. The upper end 35 of the tubular body 32 is of reduceddiameter for purposes presently to be described.

A longitudinally extending, flattened face 36 is provided on the outersurface of the body 32. A tubular sleeve 37 is fitted on the tubularbody 32. This sleeve 37 and the flattened face 36 then define alongitudinally extending channel 38 which, as will be described, may beconnected to a suction pump, or to a compressor, or to atmosphere as theneed arises during the filling cycle of this invention. A lateral vent38a near the lower end of sleeve 37 is provided for channel 38.

A supporting socket '39 is provided for the body 32. This socket 39 hasaxially bored-out portions 40 and 41 into which the upper ends of body32 and sleeve 37 respectively are fitted. Conventional O-sealingrings'42 and 43 are utilized to prevent leakage. The assembly of thesocket 39 with body 32 and sleeve 37 may be maintained as by set screws44. A chamber 45 is defined in the bore 40 about the upper open end ofbore 33 and the portion 35 of reduced diameter of the body 32. Aconnector pipe or nipple 46 threadedly engaged in a Wall of the socket39 communicates with this chamber 45. Connector nipple 46 in turn isconnectable by a pipe 47 to a source of filling liquid, such as syrup orbrine. In this embodiment, this source is a tank 48 conveniently locatedbelow the rotating platform 11 of the machine. The pipe 47 is ex tendedat 47a through an appropriate opening in the rotary platform 11 into theliquid in said tank 48.

A temporary sealing closure 49 having a sealing pad 49a of rubber or thelike is mounted adjustably as by a set screw 490 on the sleeve 37 ofhead 15 for engagement with the mouth of a container C to seal ittemporarily when the head 15 is lowered into said container. A cou plingnipple 50 also threadedly mounted in the socket 39 providescommunication with the channel 38. This coupling nipple 50 is connectedby a flexible hose 51 to one of the nipples '52 of the rotary element 53of the novel valving arrangement 54 of this invention. Thus, whenclosure 49 is in place on the neck of container C as shown in FIG. 2 andsuction is exerted via hose 51, air will be withdrawn from the containervia vent 38a and channel 38. Thus, the pressure within the temporarilysealed container C will fall and brine or other filling liquid will besucked from tank 48 via pipes 47, 47a and will enter said container Cvia bore 33 and passage 34. It will continue to fiow as long as suctionis maintained in hose 51.

Valviizg arrangement-F1 G URES 61 0 of the rotary element 53 intocommunication with a hole I 57 which opens only into the upper smoothface 58 of the 7 5 element 53.

A circular bearing plate 59 (FIGS. 6 and 8) of appropriatewear-resisting gasketing material, such as Telflon or nylon, or of anyother suitable wear-resisting gasketing material is secured to the uppersmooth face 58 of the rotary element 53 as by screws 60. A plurality ofholes 61 extending through the thickness of said plate 59 and whichcorrespond in number and in location to the holes 57 in element 53 areprovided in the bearing plate 59. Thus, when plate 59 is secured toelement 53, each hole 61 is axially aligned with an underlying hole 57in said rotary element.

The valving arrangement 54 also includes an upper non-rotary header part62. This header part 62, in the embodiment shown, is mounted around thedrive shaft 17 above the bearing plate 59 and is displaceable axiallyalong said shaft. It has its lower, smooth face 63 biased against theupper, smooth surface of bearing plate 59 as by the adjustable biasingspring 65 which, together with the coupling pins 66 that engage in fixedpart 67 secured to the main bearing 68 of the drive shaft 17 me ventrotation of the header member 62. The pressure of the biasing spring 65is adjustable as by the adjustment screws 69. These springs 65 serve tomaintain effective seals between an upper rotary surface of the bearingplate 59 and the lower engaging non-rotary surface 63 of the header part62.

The lower smooth surface 63 of the header part 62 is provided with agroup of three, concentrically disposed, spaced-apart, long arcuategrooves, or recesses, or slots 70, 71 and 72 (FIG. 7). The width ofthese grooves or recesses 70, 71 and 72 are slightly in excess of thediameters of the holes 61 which they overlie. The recesses 70, 71 and 72are each of substantially arcuate lengths. In addition, a concentricallydisposed recess 73 of relatively short arcuate length is positionedbetween the adjacent ends of the recesses 71 and 71. Similarly, anotherrecess 74 of relatively short arcuate length is positioned between theadjacent ends of recesses 71 and 72. Furthermore, an additional recess75 of relatively arcuate short length is positioned between the adjacentends of the longer arcuate recesses 70 and 72. All of the recesses 70 to75 inclusive are concentrically disposed so that during rotation of therotary valve element 5 3 and its attached bearing plate 59, eachsuccessive hole 61 will be brought into communication successively withthe recesses 75, 70, 73, 71, 74 and 72 in the order named.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 7, recess 70 of the header 62 is connected by anipple 76 to a vacuum line 77. Recess 73 opens via a hole 78 in theheader 62 to atmosphere; recess 71 is connected via nipple 79 to avacuum line 80; recess 74 opens via a hole 81 in the header 62 toatmosphere; recess 72 communicates via nipple 82 to a vacuum line 83;recess 75 communicates via nipple 84 and hose 85 to a source ofcompressed air (not shown). The respective vacuum lines 77, 80 and 83are all connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) which is maintained incontinuous operation during the filling cycle. For convenience, withrespect to recesses 70, 71 and 72, they will be termed the first, secondand third vacuum recesses; recesses 73 and 74 as the first and secondatmosphere recesses and recess 75 as the compressed air recess.

Operation The operation is as follows:

Containers C bearing the solid pack are positioned in open condition onthe conveyor 12 and are moved thereby and with the aid of guideway 13and spacer device 14 onto the rotary platform 11 in such a way that asthey arrive on the platform 11 at ingress location I, each successivelyunderlies a filling head that is carried by the turntable 16. As theturntable 16 and platform 11 rotate, the cam follower 24 moves down thedescending position 27 of cam track 25 and the lower end of a fillinghead 15 descends into the open mouth of container C until its sealingclosure 49 and pad 49a engage the said mouth and temporarily seal saidcontainer. This seal is maintained during the liquid filling cycle thatnow occurs. At this time, head 15 extends only to a shallow distance inthe container C and does not injure the solid pack therein.

As the cycle commences, first of all, the particular aligned holes 57and 61 in rotary valve element 53 and bearing plate 55 that areassociated with this particular filling head 15 first moves intoregistry with the compressed air recess of header 62. As a result, amomentary blast of compressed air from line '85 is blown into theparticular container C underlying said head via said particular holes61, 57, bore 56, nipple 52, hose 51, nipple 5t and channel 38 and itsvent 38a. This brief blast serves to rid channel 38 and its vent 38a ofany blockage that may have been caused by particles of solid pack fromthe previous cycle. The same hole 61 then is rotated by movement ofvalve element 52 to clear recess 75 and into registry with the firstvacuum recess 70.

As soon as this occurs, air is evacuated from the particular container Cvia vent 38a, channel 38, nipple 50, hose 51 and ultimately saidparticular hole 61 as Well as said recess 70. This evacuation of airfrom the particular container C results in a flow of liquid (brine orsyrup) under suction from tank 48 via pipes 470, 47, nipple 46, chambers45, bore 3 3 and vent 34 of the particular filling head 15 into theparticular container C. This flow of liquid continues as long as saidparticular hole 61 remains in registry with the first vacuum recess 70.The recess '70 is long enough extending over an arc in excess of topermit introduction of a substantial amount of said liquid into theparticular container. However, dur ing such filling flow, the viscosityof said liquid either retards its descent toward the bottom of theparticular container of its entry into voids in the pack which must befilled with it. In order to speed such descent and force the liquid intothe lower voids, suction is interrupted and air under atmosphericpressure is introduced into the particular container via channel 38 andvent 38a of its said filling head.

To this end, the same hole 61 moves around in its circular travel pathout of registry with suction recess 70 and into registry with the firstatmosphere slot 73 and air hole 78 in header 62. As a result, suctionfrom vacuum line 77 is interrupted and air rushes into the particularcontainer. This temporarily stops feeding of liquid fill to thisparticular container. At the same time, air under atmospheric pressuresurges into the particular container C via hole 78, slot 73, hole 61,hole 57, hose 56, nipple 52, tube 51, channel 38 and vent 38a. Thisinward surge of air effects a tamping action that serves to acceleratethe descent of the fill liquid already introduced in said particularcontainer fully to the bottom of the latter and also to cause flow ofsuch liquid into voids that may exist in the solid pack. Only a shortperiod of time is required to effect this tamping phase of the fillingcycle. For this reason, recess '73 is of very short arcuate length.

Thereafter, liquid filling must be resumed. To this end, the same hole61 of the rotary valve element 53 now moves out of registry withatmosphere recess 73 and into registry with the second vacuum recess 71.This reestablishes suction removal of air from the particular containerC via vent 33a of the said head 15, and re-starts flow of filling liquidunder suction from tank 48 via bore 33 and vent 34 of the particularhead 15 into the particular container C. The arcuate length of recess 71is preferably admeasured to insure delivery of suificient liquid fromtank 48 to complete filling of the particular container C therewith. Asseen in FIGURE 7, the arcuate length of second vacuum recess 71 isslightly under 90. Its length is selected to insure completion of liquidfill of the particular container.

When completion of fill has been effected, it is necessary to againbreak suction to the particular container in order to stopsuction-caused flow of filling liquid to the latter container. The sameparticular hole 61 will then have moved around in its circular travelpath out of registry with second vacuum recess 71 and into registry withthe second atmosphere recess 74 and its air hole 81. As a result,suction in the particular filling head from vacuum line 79 and recess 71will be cut off, stopping further suction feed of fill liquid to theparticular container. At the same time, air under atmospheric pressureagain surges into said container C via hole 81, recess 74, channel 38and vent 38a. This inward surge of air serves primarily at this time tobreak the temporary seal between the sealing pads 49a and the mouth ofthe container so that the entire filling head may be readily elevatedfrom the container without lifting the latter.

At this time, while no suction exists in container C, the particularfilling head 15 is elevated from the mouth thereof as cam followerroller 24 moves upwardly on the ascending slope 28 of cam track 25. Thislifts seal ring 49a from the mouth of the particular container C andlifts the bottom end of said filling head 15 clear of the said containermouth. This occurs about the time the container arrives at the egresslocation B of the rotary platform 11 whence it may be guided by thecurved guide 1% and spacer wheel 161 back into conveyor 12. This filledcontainer then may be conducted to appropriate capping machinery notforming part of this invention.

The particular elevated filling head 15 that has been removed from thecontainer is maintained on the elevated portion 26 of the track whichhas a substantial arcuate length sufficient to permit movement of theelevated filling head 15 with the turntable 16, back to the ingressposition I for insertion into a new container for repetition of thefilling cycle therewith.

During traverse of the particular elevated filling head 15 with theturntable 16 from the egress to the ingress locations, E to I, i.e.while it is idle, it is desirable to prevent drip of liquid from thehead. To this end, the same hole 61 now rotates into registry with thethird vacuum recess 72, thus bringing vent 38a of the particular fillinghead 15 into connection with vacuum line '83. This creates an atmosphereof reduced pressure in the vicinity of the vent 34 of the filling bore33 of the particular idle filling head 15 which has a tendency toeliminate drip of any residual liquid in said vent or bore 33. This isadvantageous in preventing fouling of the platform 11 or conveyor 12with dripped liquid from the idle filling head 15 in the period ofrotary transit of turntable 16 from its egress to its ingress locationsand any accumulation of such liquid on said platform or conveyor.

The arcuate vacuum recess 7 2 has a length which is approximately thesame as that of the elevated portion 26 of cam track 25. Thus, by thetime the cam follower 24 of the particular head 15 again reaches thedescending portion 27 of said track, the same hole 61 moves out ofregistry with suction recess 72 and is ready to move into registry withthe compressed air recess 75 for recomrnencement of the filling cyclewith a particular head in a fresh container. Each revolution of thevalve element 53 provides a cycle like that just described.

The filling of each container thus occurs in a cycle like thatdescribed. Since a plurality of filling heads 15 are available, aplurality of containers C are undergoing respective stages of thedescribed filling cycle at any particular time during their travelaround on the platform 11 from its ingress location I to the egresslocation E.

In summarized fashion, the process of this invention is as follows withreference to FIGURE 1:

A particular container C which has a solid food pack therein has afilling head 15 lowered to a shallow depth into its open mouth to sealsaid container temporarily. The lower end of the filling head is bluntand may even be rounded to prevent piercing or abrasion of the solidfood pack in the container.

Directly after its insertion into said particular container and thetemporary sealing of the latter, an air blast from the compressor line85 is delivered to the said particular ainer via the channel 38 and vent38a of said par- 0 ticular head 15. This clears said channel and vent ofany solid blocking material from a previous cycle.

Next the particular channel 38 is disconnected from compressor line andconnected to suction line 76. This serves to evacuate air from theparticular container and at the same time to suck filling liquid intosaid container from tank 48 via bore 33 and vent 34 of said particularfilling head. This sucked-in fluid distributes itself in the container Cand tends under gravity action to move toward the bottom of saidcontainer and into voids in the pack. However, this movement may besluggish because of the viscosity of the liquid. To expedite themovement of said liquid, the suction connection to particular channel 38is interrupted and the latter is connected to atmosphere. A surge of airthen flows into the particular container C via channel 38 and its vent38a. This surge accelerates fiow of the previously delivered liquid tothe bottom of the container and into the voids in the pack, serving totamp down the liquid thus far delivered.

Thereafter, the particular channel 38 is reconnected to vacuum viasuction line 79. Flow of filling liquid from the supply source via bore33 and vent 34 to the container is thus resumed. This resumed flow isnow maintained until a required further amount or the remainder of'desired liquid has been delivered to the container.

Then the suction connection to the particular channel 38 is againinterrupted and it is again connected to atmosphere. A second surge ofair then fiows into the particular container via said channel 33 and itsvent 38a. This second surge accelerates tamping of the additional liquiddelivered to the particular container into the remaining voids in thecontainer. Italso breaks the vacuum in the container so that theparticular filling head 15 now can be withdrawn from the said container.The liquid filled container is then removed from the machine forsubsequent permanent capping. Although only two tamping operations havebeen described as effected by interruption of suction, it is to beunderstood that the tamping operation may be effected once or severaltimes, it merely being necessary to modify the valving to fit thecircumstances as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

After the filling of a particular container with the desired liquidincluding the repetitive tampings and also the removal of the fillinghead from a filled container, it is desirable to prevent drip of liquidfrom the removed head while it is idle prior to inserting into a newcontainer. To this end, suction is again connected to channel 38 and itsvent 38a from suction line 82 while the filling head is idle. Thissuction acts to prevent drip of residual liquid from the 'filling headwhile it is idle.

In the case of rotary filling machines, the cycle sequence described iseffected continuously and sequentially on a plurality of containers withthe aid of a valve device whose movable control part is rotated as thecontainers are moved around a substantially circular path on therotating platform, as described. In the case of straightin-line fillingmachines, the filling cycle described occurs periodically andsimultaneously in like manner to all of a group of containers locatedunder a corresponding group of filling heads, the necessary successivesteps of the cycle being controlled for each cycle by the rotation ofthe movable part of the valve device which in such event is rotated byan independent motor or manually.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been disclosed,variations in detail within the scope of the appended claims arepossible and are contemplated. There is no intention of limitation tothe exact details shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. A process of filling the voids in containers having portions of solidfill pack therein completely with liquid comprising the steps oftemporarily closing off the solid fill bearing container, subjecting thecontainer to suction to eliminate air therefrom, introducing fillingliquid into the air evacuated container to partially fill it,interrupting the suction and admitting a surge of air at atmosphericpressure into the container to force the liquid so far introduced towardthe bottom of the container and into voids within the container in atamping action, reinstating suction in the container and resumingfilling with said liquid under the reinstated suction, thereafterbreaking the reinstated vacuum and subsequently permanently sealing thecontainer.

2. A method for adding protective liquid to a container which haspreviously been filled with chunks of solid matter to eliminate voidsand to insure continuous protective contact between the liquid and saidchunks comprising providing a source of protective liquid, temporarilysealing the chunk-bearing container, applying suction to the temporarilysealed container to evacuate air therefrom and utilizing such suction toaspirate protective liquid from said source into said container topartially fill it, interrupting such suction to halt such aspiration andadmitting a surge of air at atmospheric pressure into said container toprovide a tamping action on the liquid thus far aspirated into saidcontainer to force such liquid into the voids and toward the bottom ofthe container, resuming the suction to provide additional aspiration ofprotective liquid from said source into said container in furtherpartial filling of it, interrupting the resumed suction to halt suchadditional aspiration, admitting a further surge of air at atmosphericpressure to said container to provide additional tamping action on theliquid so far aspirated into the container and also break the temporaryseal of said chunk-bearing container.

3. A process for filling completely with liquid the voids in containershaving portions of solid fill pack therein comprising the steps oftemporarily sealing the container, evacuating air from the container andthereby establishing a flow of said liquid into it under suction from asource, interrupting said flow after partial filling of the containerand admitting a surge of air at atmospheric pressure into the containerthereby to efiect a tamping action on the liquid thus far introducedinto the container to force such liquid into the voids and also towardsthe bottom of the container, resuming evacuation of the air from saidcontainer and thereby re-establishing a flow of said liquid into it,continuing such resumed flow until liquid filling of the container iscompleted, thereafter again admitting a surge of air under atmosphericpressure into the container to break the vacuum therein and halt theflow of liquid fill thereto and also to break the temporary seal of saidcontainer and to effect a further tamping action on the liquid flowedinto said container.

4. A method for filling with liquid a container having a pack of solidfill and voids therein to efiect substantially complete penetration ofthe voids and envelopment of the pack by said liquid comprising thesteps of temporarily sealing the container, then by suction evacuatingair from the container and establishing a flow of liquid from a sourceto said container by said suction to partially fill it, interruptingthis flow by breaking the suction and admitting a surge of air into saidcontainer, said surge providing a tamping action accelerating movementof the liquid thus far flowed into the container toward the bottomthereof and into voids in the pack, then resuming evacuation of air fromthe container by renewed suction thereby resuming flow of liquid fromsaid source to said container, maintaining the resumed flow of liquid bysuction to completion of fill of the container with the liquid and thenbreaking the renewed suction by again admitting air into the containerthus halting the resumed flow of liquid to said container and breakingthe temporary sealing of the container, and thereafter permanentlysealing the liquidfilled container.

5. A method for filling a container having a pack of solid fill andvoids therein with liquid to effect substantially complete penetrationof the voids and envelopment of the pack by said liquid comprising thesteps of temporarily sealing the container, then evacuating air from thecontainer and effecting a vacuum induced How of liquid from a source tosaid container to partially fill it, breaking the vacuum and haltingfilling flow of liquid, then admitting air into the container in asurge, said surge providing a tamping action accelarting movement of theliquid then present in the container toward the bottom thereof and intovoids in the pack, then resuming evacuation of air from the containerand thus -reestablishing flow of liquid from said source to saidcontainer, maintaining such reestablished flow of liquid to completionof fill of the container therewith and then breaking off evacuation andhalting the re-established flow of liquid to said container by againadmitting air into the said container.

6. Apparatus for filling the voids in containers having a pack of solidfill material therein comprising a source of filling liquid, a fillinghead having a passage for filling liquid from said source and a separateair introducing and removing passage, means for lowering said head overthe open end of a container having portions of solid fill pack therein,means for temporarily sealing said open end, means for blowing airthrough said second-named passage to rid it of obstructions, means toapply suction via said second passage to evacuate air from saidcontainer and thereby effect a filling flow of liquid from said sourcevia said first passage into said container, means for interruptingapplication of suction via said second passage and for admitting a surgeof air via said second passage into said container to effect tampingaction on the fluid introduced into the container toward the bottom ofthe latter and into voids in the pack Within the container, means forreinstating vacuum conditions in said container via said second passageand thereby effecting resumption of fill flow of fluid from said sourceto the container, and means for thereafter breaking the vacuum and thenremoving said filling head from said container.

7. In apparatus for filling with liquid a container hav ing a solid packand voids therein, valving mechanism for controlling flow of fillingliquid to the container, said mechanism including a rotary valve memberhaving an opening and a channel connected to said opening, a bearingplate fixed to said valve member and having an 0pening alignedtherewith, a stationary header, means for biasing said valve member andbearing plate against said header, said header having a group ofelongated concentrically disposed recesses with each of which saidhearing plate opening may register on rotation of said valve member andbearing plate, suction creating means connected to three non-contiguousones of said recesses, positive air compressing means connected toanother of said recesses, and atmospherically connected air openings fortwo others of said recesses, whereby during rotation of said rotaryvalve member said channel will cyclically have compressed air in it,suction, atmospheric air, suction, atmospheric air and suction.

8. Apparatus for filling with liquid a container having a pack of solidfill and voids therein to effect substantially complete penetration ofthe voids and envelopment of the pack by said liquid comprising afilling head, means for lowering said filling head to a shallow depth insaid container above said pack, means for then temporarily sealing saidcontainer, a source of filling liquid, suction providing means, andcompressed air supply means, said head having a first passage connectedto said source, and a second passage, valving means for connecting saidsuction providing means, said compressed air supply means and atmospheredirectly to said second passage in a cycle to provide compressed airclearance of said second passage after the temporary sealing of saidcontainer, then suction in said second passage to evacuate the sealedcontainer and sucking into the container of filling liquid from thesource via the first passage, then breaking of the suction and admissionof air via the second passage into the container to provide tamping flowof the liquid to the bottom of the container and into voids in the pack,then re-establishment of suction in the second passage andreestablishment of flow of filling liquid via the first passage to thecontainer to completion of fill of the container and then re-breaking ofsuction and cessation of filling liquid flow and re-admission of air tothe container and the breaking of the temporary seal of the container.

9. Apparatus for filling with liquid, a container having a pack of solidfill with voids therein to effect substantially complete penetration ofthe voids and envelopment of the pack by said liquid comprising afilling head having a passage for filling liquid with a discharge vent,and having a second passage for withdrawal of air from the containerduring one phase of operation and for introducing air into the containerin another phase of operation, means for lowering said head to shallowdepth into said container above said pack, means on said head for thentemporarily sealing said container, means for blowing a jet ofcompressed air through said second passage to rid it of obstructions, asource of filling liquid, means for withdrawing air from said containervia said second passage thereby providing suction conditions in saidcontainer and establishing a flow of filling liquid from said sourceinto said container via said first passage, means for interrupting saidwithdrawal of air and said flow of liquid and for admitting air to saidcontainer in a surge via said second passage, means for resumingwithdrawal of air from said container via said second passage andreestablishing flow of filling liquid from said source into saidcontainer via said first passage to completion of fill of the containerwith said liquid, means for then interrupting said resumed withdrawal ofair and again admitting air into said container via said second passagethereby again halting flow of filling liquid via said first passage andmeans for then withdrawing the filling head from said container. 5 10.In apparatus for filling with protective liquid from a source, acontainer having a pack of solid fill with voids therein to effectsubstantially complete penetration of the voids and protectiveenvelopment of the pack by said liquid comprising a filling head, meansfor inserting said head to a shallow depth in said container, means foreffecting a vacuum induced filling fiow of liquid from said source viasaid head into said container, means for interrupting the vacuum inducedflow of said liquid and providing a surge of air into said container totam-p the already delivered liquid into voids in the pack and toward thebottom of the container, means for then resuming vacuum induced fillingflow of liquid from said source via said head into said container, meansfor thereafter interrupting the resumed flow of liquid, means for thenremoving said head from said container, and means for preventing drip ofsaid liquid from said head on such removal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,584,324 5/1926 Risser 141-59 X2,543,788 3/1951 Loveland 14159 X 2,698,123 12/1954 Trotter 141-59 X2,837,127 6/1958 Luther 14112 3,105,525 10/1963 Boucher 14161 TRAVIS S.MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

1. A PROCESS OF FILLING THE VOIDS IN CONTAINERS HAVING PORTIONS OF SOLIDFILL PACK THEREIN COMPLETELY WITH LIQUID COMPRISING THE STEPS OFTEMPORARILY CLOSING OFF THE SOLID FILL BEARING CONTAINER, SUBJECTING THECONTAINER TO SUCTION TO ELIMINATE AIR THEREFROM, INTRODUCING FILLINGLIQUID INTO THE AIR EVACUATED CONTAINER TO PARTIALLY FILL IT,INTERRUPTING THE SUCTION AND ADMITTING A SURGE OF AIR AT ATMOSPHERICPRESSURE INTO THE CONTAINER TO FORCE THE LIQUID SO FAR INTRODUCED TOWARDTHE BOTTOM OF THE CONTAINER AND INTO VOIDS WITHIN THE CONTAINER IN ATAMPING ACTION, REINSTATING SUCTION IN THE CONTAINER AND RESUMINGFILLING WITH SAID LIQUID UNDER THE REINSTATED SUCTION, THEREAFTERBREAKING THE REINSTATED VACUUM AND SUBSEQUENTLY PERMANENTLY SEALING THECONTAINER.